Putin and Kim Jong-un sign mutual defence agreement

Russia and North Korea pact sparks fears in the West

- SHWETA SHARMA, CHRIS STEVENSON

Vladimir Putin has signed a deal with Kim Jong-un that includes a mutual defence pact if either Russia or North Korea is attacked - a move that will alarm Western nations.

Desperate for arms to fuel his invasion of Ukraine, Mr Putin has sought to deepen ties with another international pariah also under heavy sanctions during his first visit to Pyongyang in 24 years. Mr Kim and Mr Putin signed what they described as the “strongest ever treaty” during the Russian leader’s trip. The deal, which the leaders said covered areas including security, trade, investment, and cultural and humanitarian ties, could mark the strongest connection between Moscow and Pyongyang since the end of the Cold War.

The courting of Mr Kim, which includes gifts of limousines and the “strategic partnership” pact, has alarmed the United States and its Asian allies. Their spy agencies are trying to work out just how far the 71-year-old Kremlin chief will go – and what missile or even nuclear technology Russia might pass to North Korea in exchange for munitions to fight in Ukraine.

The devil will be in the detail of the Russia-North Korea deal, which has not been released. But it will add to the insecurity in nations such as South Korea and Japan about the growing tensions between Washington and its allies and the emerging axis of China, Russia and North Korea. While China has kept itself out of trilateral deals so far, Beijing is North Korea’s largest trading partner and Mr Putin has also sought to maximise his political relations with President Xi Jinping.